Life is Hope

Hello dear friends!

We don’t have much to update you on with the adoption. We were told back in spring not to expect to know anything until fall. We’ve been lucky to hear more news than we expected.

Our appeal went on review at the Supreme Court in Estonia on October 3^rd, but we haven’t heard any response. We have been given an opportunity to go back to discuss reconsideration with the Committee in Estonia, but our agency isn’t sure that is a good step for us at this time. Josh and I feel a little differently, so we will just need to keep praying and when God is telling us it’s time to go there, I have no doubt He will make it more apparent. I’ve become a lot better at being patient in this process, though it is never easy.

In the meantime, Josh and I are keeping ourselves busy. Josh is running his first marathon this weekend to support his nephew, Rowan, who has been fighting Leukemia since March. Updates on his health can be found here. Hope for Rowan

Haiti 

I decided not to pass another opportunity to go back to Haiti on my second mission trip. I struggled for a while with deciding if the expense was a good choice, but God has not lessened the pull that Haiti has on my heart. Josh and I have been supporting Life is Hope orphanage since my last trip there in July 2011. I came home and prayed that He would make it possible my family and I to go back…

Since then, an amazing thing has happened. God stirred the hearts in some courageous people in our church. Jude and Linda Hoffman decided to take it upon themselves to provide food for the 170+ children at this orphanage forever! They have been rallying supporters for over a year (that’s $4000 a month, folks)! Trips will continually be formed out of our church. In fact, I’ve missed two opportunities while waiting on the adoption.

Check out our elder, Jude's powerful testimony to the cause here:

Trip Preparations:

Although I am sad about leaving my students for the week (I have a fantastic class this year), I know they will do just fine without me. God provides us the way, and we can either say "yes" or make excuses. This trip is by far the cheapest, due to the time of the year.

Josh won $600 from a weight loss contest at his work, so we were able to put that money towards my trip. YAY Josh, for being awesome!

Because of supporters like you, a new, safer orphanage will be built outside of the main city, Port-au-Prince. The new orphanage will have farmland and irrigation systems. I am blessed to be able to go back and finish building the wall that will surround their new home. Can you say goosebumps? I cannot wait to see the improvements our support has made on the quality of life the children have that I’ve only been able to witness by picture.

You can help change lives at Life is Hope Orphange:

I am not fundraising for my travel to Haiti. Fundraising for myself is exhausting :). However, I am collecting children’s medicine, and money for completing our task of finishing the wall that will surround the future orphanage. I will be traveling with a team Ohio and Maryland. Together we’ve raised nearly $5000 towards our $7000 goal for materials. A lot can happen in a week! If you feel led to be a part of the Life is Hope story, you can make a tax-deductible donation towards the wall, which will make them one step closer to having a new home on the "Vision Property." Please pay through this secure link. Donate to Life is Hope 

Mark your donation with a note- “Life is Hope October trip wall materials” and it will be designated appropriately. Thank you for all of your support.

In less than a week, I will finally be seeing many familiar faces open those gates as the children run and jump into our arms. There is nothing like it. 

Travel not likely at this time

One step forward and two steps back seems to be the theme of international adoption. Knowing this is common for all who pursue this route helps keep me sane. I've learned to be skeptical when I think I've heard good news. Our possible trip may not happen right now, because our agency doesn't feel a meeting with the Committee will be productive at this time. Our lawyer who we were asked to hire thinks otherwise. Now what? I don't want to do something rash, but Josh and I don't want to jeopardize the progress our lawyer has made this summer. Our agency thinks it is more a matter of adopting children with US families than it is a personal one.

If I could ask for specific prayer it would be this: that a meeting would be formed very soon between our agency and the Head of the Ministry in Estonia. That she would travel here because that would allow us easier travel to go and meet with her. That they will start working together as a team, just as things were with the former Head of the Ministry, who we met with in January.

On another note, we've been reading a great book called, Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child, by Patty Cogen. I can't believe the way it's opened my eyes and changed my mind set towards post adoption. For example: it gives ideas on the "three-photo story journey" to teaching identity, why holidays and "Gotcha" day can be especially confusing and difficult for an adopted child, etc. It hasn't scared me out of adoption, but it's opened my eyes to the realities of attachment...that we may work for years just to build small things like the eye-contact/connection a birth mother and child form in a matter of days or months. That we will have to do all the activities and games mentioned in the book x 3. We will have to be sooo intentional about the time we spend with each child doing these bonding activities. It's no wonder they recommend staying at home with your child for a year, which is something we plan to do...some how. This book has been a great resource to help prepare us for what we can do starting Day One of adoption. It has made me feel that although it will be exhausting and difficult, it is still something we really want, and more importantly that we will be able to do it (with the support we working on having in place). I'm glad I have been reading this book. I'm not even finished with it yet, and I'm sure I will be reading it over and over. Thank you for the recommendation, Janie! :)

I think the ideas in this book are great for any parent to read. It has great reviews on how it's helped many families. You don't have to be adopting internationally. If you are looking for a way to support a friend or family member, I would suggest reading this book along with them. I can't put enough value on the idea of having a friend who understands this side of adoption.

Early Fall Updates

I want to litter this blog post with crazy-exciting news about our adoption. But we will all just have to settle for a little hope, at least for the time being. It’s been a while, so I'll recap:

May- I was learning to cope with disappointment, and the realization that I wouldn’t spend my summer being a Mommy to three incredible little boys...perhaps not ever. Josh and I were also coming to realize that we wouldn’t hear any news until fall as to whether or not our adoption case could be settled.

June- I gained a new peace about everything, knowing that God will fight for us (see June blog post). I learned I don’t have to feel good about what is happening to have peace about being where God wants Josh and I to be.

Summer: Got to spend a lot of time near home working on Mind, Body, and Soul. Yep-hit all three this summer. Thank you, to all the amazing women who poured into me these last few months when I was on empty. Words will never describe the love I’ve felt from God through you all. I also spent a lot of time helping out friends and the community, but managed to get some deep cleaning and organization in there, too, and I've read almost 10 books! I took a week-long teaching seminar, and made some new goals for a fresh, new school year. I am very excited to greet my new second graders this week. Was this my usual, adventurous summer? No, and I truly missed it, but I know this is where God wanted me to be instead, and I can say I am (for once) ready to go back to school.

In July, we got a hopeful email from our lawyer in Estonia! Josh and I were both pleasantly surprised as the ruling of our current appeal to the Supreme Court in Estonia probably won’t be determined until September or October.

The International Adoptions Committee was considering the idea of having us back to discuss reconsideration for our adoption case!! However, once we scrambled to see if plans could be made in summer (when I was off from school), we learned everyone there went on vacation for the entire month of July. Last week, we were finally given the option to schedule a time to come back for a meeting/hearing. This is one of our answered prayers, though the timing is not convenient, as I am about to welcome a new class of students in two days. Leaving them right now would be difficult, but Josh and I can’t pass up an opportunity to fight for our boys. Before we spend money on travel plans, we are waiting on hearing more about what a meeting will entail. This way we hope to negotiate time to present our case and post-adoption support plan before the Committee.

This is still a high-risk situation. We very well could go back and be denied a second time by the Committee and new Head of the Ministry who took over in March. Our agency thinks if we wait things out until the end of the year, things will change for us and a few other families, who are also having similar trouble with adopting children in Estonia. Josh and I aren't really sure how certain this possibility is. 

We need continued prayer for wisdom, but we are feeling sure we will be traveling back there, and hopefully soon if I can work it out with school. We’ll keep you all updated. And now for some other great news: We just recently checked into our Lifesong/Both Hands fundraising account, and we now have over $10,000 combined w/ Lifesong’s matching grant to be used on finalizing adoption! Wow! Can you believe how remarkable that is? This brings us so much closer to our (unfortunately increasing) fundraising goal. With extra travel involved, we are still in need of funding, though we know at this point a loan will be necessary. We will be setting something up with the bank soon. The closer we can get towards our $50.000 goal before this point, the better. This is proof that your friends and family are donating through the Both Hands website, folks! Thanks for sharing our story and Miss Helen’s. There is no deadline, so if you could continue to share the link with those you know, I am certain God will continue to work in their hearts as he already has for so many, which has in turn, encouraged us to keep persevering. We’ve got many thank-yous to hand out!

Click here for info on how to share the video to help support our adoption. 

Our personal fundraising page: http://bothhandsfoundation.org/josh-and-jen-prusha.aspx 

 With Love,

Josh and Jen

Both Hands Project Recap

Our project is complete, and what a great day it was! We couldn't have asked for better weather- A sunny day, and cooler temperatures after the entire week prior had been unbearably hot. We had 19 volunteers and several families help with food. 


Together we were able to: 

• declutter and clean several rooms 

• paint Ms. H's bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen 

• reorganize and clean her laundry room 

• install 2 bedroom doors 

• repair plumbing 

• remove all the weeds, unwanted bushes and trees around her house 

• power wash her siding and windows 

• many other small improvements

Thank you everyone who came to hang out with us and transform Miss H's home in Jefferson County, WV. We are amazed at the hard work and enthusiasm everyone had well into the evening. Not only that, but several people want to come out and continue helping her. We sincerely appreciate Both Hands and Lifesong for Orphans for providing this creative opportunity to fundraise for our adoption fund and help another person in the process. 


If you feel led to share this video with others, we would greatly appreciate it. Spreading the word has been one of the best modes of fundraising, and we couldn't have come over halfway to our goal of $45,000 without your help! You all are incredible.  
Click here for tax deductible donations (100% goes to the adoption fund until everything is final). http://bothhandsfoundation.org/josh-and-jen-prusha.aspx


or mail a check to:
Lifesong for Orphans
preference: Prusha #2614
Write in Memo:  Preference: Prusha Adoption #2614


Gratefully,
Josh and Jen

Both Hands Project: One for the Widow, One for the Orphan

It's finally here! Our Both Hands service day is tomorrow! 9-3pm. We are thanking God and all the wonderful people at "Both Hands" and "Lifesong for Orphans" for making this event and fundraising opportunity possible. Both Hands is a non-profit organization, whose theory behind the project is:  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  James 1:27


We've met with Miss Helen, a woman in our community, who lost her husband several years ago and currently suffers from MS. She is currently confined to her bed. Josh and I have been blessed to get to know her through this project, and can't even begin to list all of instances where we've witness God's handiwork and planning in this project. We've received donations from Home Depot, Habitat for Humanity Restore in Winchester, Benjamin Moore Paint, Sherwin Williams, Food Lion, Martins, and Apple Valley Waste: Over $400 worth of materials and services for helping Miss Helen at her home! Thank you to all the awesome people donating food for our volunteer lunch tomorrow, and letting us borrow your tools. You all are incredible. We couldn't have pulled it together without you.  


To support this project and make a tax-deductible donation to our adoption, please see our fundraising page to learn more. http://bothhandsfoundation.org/josh-and-jen-prusha.aspx  

Pressing In

Sometimes we need people around us when we can’t look past our present circumstances or are choosing to live in the past.

I just came back from a much-needed weekend to hear from God. Sometimes God’s voice comes audibly, though I can’t tell you I’ve ever heard it that way. Most of the time it’s reading his Word and applying it to my life. It’s hearing my inner voice. Sometimes it’s an intense feeling. Sometimes it’s praying and seeing a sudden vision or word. Sometimes the messages come through other people.

I don’t think it’s any secret that our adoption has been denied- twice if I’m being technical. However, God has told us it’s not over. I’ve not once doubted God’s plan, but I guess I’ve been preparing my heart for defeat and the possibility of a new plan that I can’t quite see yet. And it hurts.

I’ve doubted myself. I think perhaps I haven’t been following his path correctly. In the midst of my self-doubt, I have overlooked the way God has led my husband, two organizations, our agency, and so many others on this journey that we are now all a part of. I have completely ignored the way God has led some of the most god-fearing people I know to graciously pray for us, and to give to our boys’ cause. He’s led Josh’s work, my school, our church and most of the children in it to believe this is going to happen. 

Because things have turned ugly, I’ve been thinking I’ve led all of these people astray. But this is not about me. I haven’t been the one getting people to support the boys. I’ve completely discredited God’s power, because this is about Him and what he can do. He hasn’t just been using us to give these precious boys a family. He’s using all of you who are reading this. All this time God is saying, “Daughter, I know it looks hopeless right now, but DO YOU SEE WHO I AM SENDING TO HELP YOU???  I showed you with _____, and _______, and ________, and then again with (insert amazing act of love here). But you continue to ignore it! When will you finally believe that I will fight for you?”

Landscape in South Estonia. Photo by Arne Ader.

To all who are following our journey, I will try to explain our complicated saga.

1. In March we received a letter of denial after we were in the final stretch of completing our adoption of three biological brothers, who we’ve met and loved for over a year now. Much of it is due to our age (27 and 28) and the fact that we have no prior experience in raising children. Our agency believes there are deeper reasons beyond our control, including some recent poor American family examples. The Estonians are worried for their children and only want the best possible situation for them, especially if they are to leave their country. Can I blame them? 

2. Immediately we were advised to hire an Estonian lawyer in one of the largest firms in the Baltic region. They have represented two families in the past. This appeal is to ask the Committee to reconsider their decision.

3. After gathering support letters, our lawyer filed an appeal and after one month of waiting for feedback, we learned that the judge would not give our situation any consideration.

4. We are now filing a 2^nd appeal at Estonia’s district court level to contest that the procedure for our case was not being followed correctly. If we win, the judge must consider our petition again. We will not know the outcome of this 3^rd decision for another 1-3 months. If it ends favorably, it will go back down to steps 3 and then hopefully back to step 1 again for reconsideration.

We have not given a dime to in-country fees to Estonia regarding the adoption. About 1/4 of the total costs have been spent on travel, third party fees, and to our agency. Many have asked about bribes, but I believe Estonians would be offended if we tried to do this. Everything has gone according to protocol, and has been very professional in our experience. We wouldn't be required to pay these agencies (aside from our lawyer) for a failed adoption. But, when things ARE finalized, the balance will be due in one giant chunk, so we still need to be ready. 

If (I guess I should be saying when) we make it back to step 1, there may be another opportunity to meet with the Committee in person if our lawyer thinks it may help. I would jump on that chance. If they think we may be able to show our commitment in another way- living there for a time, getting a psychological evaluation, etc, Here I am. We are just waiting on the word. But for now, that word is WAIT.

As I said, I am able to rest in the peace of knowing God is going to work this out, and given all things mentioned above, I am no longer doubting that this is going to happen the way my heart hopes it will. It may not happen in the timing I thought was perfect, but there is a bigger picture being painted, and it’s not all about me.

Thank you to the many, many people who have helped me to see it could be about the things God could be doing to prepare the heart of any person who has a hand in this. Thank you for giving me affirmation that certain messages may have been meant for me. Thank you to "Both Hands" and "Lifesong for Orphans" for not giving up on us, but putting us on your prayer lists and sending us encouragement and your belief that this will be a success in the end.

Please pray for:

1. Our Both Hands project on June 23^rd and for our team, who will be helping us beautify a local widow’s home, while we raise tax-deductible funds to help meet our adoption fundraising goal. Our current goal has increased due to lawyer fees. Please pray for motivation, for more to join us, for the support letters that will go out, and for people to be moved by this. http://bothhandsfoundation.org/josh-and-jen-prusha.aspx

2. God’s perfect timing. Pray for me to know what he is calling me to do in the meantime (as there are many ideas brewing in my head and heart).

3. Please pray for the new head of the Ministry to find favor in us and to be BOLD in making big things happen. I think she is our best hope in having sway over the Committee.

4. For our boys to stay where they are and not be moved around to another orphanage/group home. I am so thankful for the care they were given back in January when we met with them and love the group home director. She is wonderful, and I can tell she cares for the boys deeply. I hope they are still there.

5. For Josh and I to learn to be okay with sitting in-limbo for another several months.

Thank you to all for the encouragement you’ve given us in so many forms. It is undeniable that’s he’s placed many of you to say the right things at the right times to remind us not to give up. It might have been a word, a donation, support letter, a hug, or a prayer. We’ve felt it all. You are all a part of this beautiful picture God is painting. 

Jen Hatmaker-I'm Not Done Yet

May 22nd.  Last post was a month ago, so it seems about right that we do another one. The problem is we have no real news. All this praying and hoping and waiting and nothing really to show for it.  Other than this whole thing is turning out to be a lot more complicated and lengthy than we ever realized. If we continue with our 2nd appeal, we face at least two months before we can find out if we can still file our original petition to appeal the decision that was given to us. Follow that? I can hardly keep up. As a desperate mother, I am willing to do whatever it takes- psych evaluation if it helps, go on trial, move there.  If I knew it brought us closer for good, I would do it.  Right now I don't have any of those answers. And so we sit. We wait. We wonder if God will include us on his plan to bring justice to these incredible boys or if he has another adoption plan for us. Or maybe he is just waiting to see how long it takes me to crack. I am pretty close. Reading these posts from this author make me feel challenged and understood even on my worst days.  So I am going to repost one right here, because their story is too awesome. Please read about the trials Jen and her family faced as they adopted two children, Remy and Beniam (Ben), from Ethiopia. Jen Hatmaker- please don't come after me for reposting your writing.  I give you all the credit. :)

Love,

Jen
....

Fast forward to March 10th, that blessed court date. Now understand that I had already informed God that I didn't want to be "one of those families." The sad, sorry folks who didn't pass and had all the troubles and waded through messy bureaucratic drivel and watched as everyone else passed them like they were going in reverse. The ones that clogged up the Facebook feed with bad news and had to answer the same questions twenty times a day about any movement? and who seemed like they had lost the will to live.

I mean, I thought I had made that clear.

So when Remy passed that very day like she was just taking a leisurely stroll through Central Park on holiday - exactly how I told God to work it out - we were devastated when Ben didn't pass. Devastated. And the rhythm repeated:

"God, we're confused."
"I'm not done yet."

We'd seen other families who didn't pass court get their clearance within a week or two, so we naturally assumed our happy phone call was coming any day now. Remy was submitted for Embassy. Any day now. One month. Any day now. The court asked for additional documents on Ben. Any day now. Remy was cleared for travel in April. Any day now. We turned in some other official decrees. Any day now. Two months. Any day now. Three months. Please, God. Please. Any day now. "It doesn't look good for this case." Any day now. Crying, begging, pleading, cursing. Any day now. Four months. No. No.

"God, we're confused." 
"I'm not done yet." 

Let me be fair: When I recount our line as "God, we're confused," that sounds tame, almost like a little old grandma who got lost at the corner of 5th and Lamar until a kindly police officer asked if he could help her and she chuckled and shook her head and said, "Well I guess I got a little confused!" and they shared a knowing laugh about who can figure out all these confounded streets down here? and he pointed her west and she made it to her destination just in time for the quilting guild.

When we said "we're confused", it involved crying and wailing and days when I couldn't get out of bed. It included a string of months where, I swear to you, time stood still. I sobbed over other people's happy adoption news as I typed nice words on their Facebook pages. It included a phone call from my mother-in-law after my daughter told her, "I'm worried about my mom." My hair started falling out in clumps and my fingernails peeled off in layers. I lashed out at Brandon and my kids and Jesus on bad days; on worse days, I wondered aloud if God had any control at all over this chaotic, broken world. I doubted his invervention and questioned his sovereignty.

So yeah, that's what I mean by "confused."

And then we got this: "We're getting a rejection letter for Beniam's adoption, and we think you should consider coming to get Remy." No. No. How could this possibly be our situation? How? We were the compassionate mother who refused to split the baby in half even if it meant separation from us. How could we go back to Ethiopia and fly away with just one of them? How could we break our son's heart like that? How could God possibly be in this? Is he just mean? Has he forgotten us? Has he forgotten Ben? This is not the story we signed on for. This chapter stinks. I'm starting to hate this book.

"God, we're confused."
"I'm not done yet."

In the dead of night as I sobbed into my pillow, begging God to comfort our son as we prepared to travel for Remy, he delivered "Love Ben" fully developed into my mind. And if you're the believing type who buys the "God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose" stuff, then you might not be surprised to hear that we witnessed hundreds of moments of glory through Love Ben.

Hundreds.

Like the 80-year-old outspoken racist who set his alarm for 1:00am to pray for Beniam at the start of the Ethiopian work day.

Like the multiple emails I got from adopted adults who were prompted to reconcile with birth parents, deal with decades-old wounds, and find peace.

Like the birth mother whose heart God healed after giving up her son 17 years ago.

Like the entire church who highlighted Ben's story and set up a Love Ben Photo Booth after both services.

Like the college friend who told me she was praying again for the first time in 20 years.

Like the bundles of you who emailed to say you've decided to adopt.

Like the mamas and daddies who taught their children about orphans and God's mercy and used Ben's little face as a tangible tool.

Please believe me, these could go on and on. Rays of God's light kept bursting through the dark. Just when I though my heart would expire, I'd get an email that said, "I told Ben's story at the camp we're running for foster kids, and they broke out in spontaneous prayer and singing for God to rescue him."

Evidently God can wrestle glory out of the hard parts of the story.

Ben passed court the week before we traveled to get Remy, but our agency prepared us for egregious delays and possible litigation at the Embassy stage because of his rejection letter (I assure you, this had nothing to do with his orphan status). So Brandon and I prepared for a fight. We threw down fighting words. We said stuff like, "What happens in fight club stays in fight club!" We kicked some chairs over and threw gang signs. We were all, "WHATEVER, HATERS! You messed with the wrong peeps!" It was all super aggressive with loads of swagger.

Then we flew to Ethiopia. And held our son while he threw up and sobbed in our laps and clung to our necks, as we drove away with Remy, his only family on the same continent. And all the bravado disappeared into sorrow. I cried for 24 hours without stopping.

"We're so confused, God."
"I'm not done yet."

Are you sure, God? Because I'm pretty convinced all our hearts are broken. Is there work left to be done? Is there something we can't see? Would you please just assure us that you haven't forgotten Ben and our family? Can we trust you to make this beautiful? Because it doesn't feel beautiful. It feels aching and devastating and horribly unjust. We believe you but we can't see.

But let it be said that God is still in the miracle business. As our agency prepared to submit Ben for Embassy, they were asked to try to secure his approval letter one last time, attempting to avoid the cluster ahead of us without it. Just as a courtesy, our agency went back to the government office, the same one who refused to write the letter for five months, in an effort I dubbed "the biggest waste of time on planet earth." They'd made their position clear on Ben's case, and had already died on this hill if you will. So whatever. Thanks for this great idea, Embassy. Maybe they can suck another five months of our lives away.

They wrote it.

SHUT UP. Yes they did. They wrote it on a Thursday, and Ben was submitted for Embassy the very next day. With all his paperwork intact. Every last piece of paper. They cleared him for travel four business days later on Thursday, and Brandon got on a plane three days later. Last Sunday.

This is what God does.

When God said he wasn't done yet, he just wasn't done yet. He wasn't speaking in code. It wasn't a trick. The story was still in the middle, but I wanted to flip ahead to the end, past the conflict and struggle and straight to the happy ending. As Keeper of the Story, God knew the whole plot. He promised us way back that he planned on seeing these two children all they way from brokenness and abandonment to our home in Texas, an unlikely journey if ever there was one. And at the risk of whitewashing the difficult middle, we have one of them here and the other will be here Sunday, so he was faithful.

God doesn't promise us a clean middle part of the story. He never said we wouldn't encounter antagonists and drama and surprise twists and heartbreak. We weren't assured a G-rated plot where good feelings are peddled and no one dies or leaves or fails or waits. God promised things like healing and restoration and redemption. Which implies there will be injuries and broken relationships and losses. When he speaks of beauty from ashes, he seems to know there will be actual ashes to resurrect beauty from.

If you are confused right now, if your story isn't going the way you thought, or if you're tangled up in the messy middle where hope is deferred, dear reader, it could just be that God isn't done yet. Your story is not finished. Every hero and heroine must wade through the conflict to get to the end, and you can trust God because he is good. If you have nothing else to cling to, remember this: God is good. He loves goodness and justice. He heals and redeems. He is on the side of love and beauty. He is for you. He is never against you. You may be against you, other people may be against you, but God is not against you.

It is okay to be confused; I'm afraid that is our lot as finite creatures dealing with an infinite God. Some of God's best heros were confused in their subplots. But I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on. Because God is good and he is for goodness.

And he just isn't done yet.